Sometimes the simple act of breathing is not so simple. If you're short of breath, have a chronic cough, or have had an abnormal chest x-ray or CT scan, you may be suffering from a respiratory condition.

At Northwest Hospital, a team of board-certified specialists in pulmonary medicine diagnose and treat patients with many different respiratory problems, ranging from highly acute to long-term chronic conditions, including:

Pulmonary Function Tests
These tests measure how well you breathe and are commonly used to diagnose asthma and other lung diseases, as well as evaluate the status of a disease that has already been diagnosed. Common tests include spirometry, which measures the levels and pace of oxygen flowing out of the lungs.

Bronchoscopy
This procedure allows your physician to directly examine your airways and lungs using a fiberoptic scope that is introduced into the airway. During the procedure, tissue samples are gathered to aid in diagnosis and to remove objects or clear mucus from the airways.

Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
This minimally-invasive procedure is used to diagnose lung cancer, infections and other health problems causing enlarged lymph nodes in the upper respiratory tract. Using a very fine needle, your pulmonologists can take tissue and fluid samples from your lungs and surrounding lymph nodes, which will later be used to diagnose and determine the stage of lung cancer and other diseases.

Thoracentesis
A radiologist performs this procedure when unexplained fluid accumulates in the chest cavity outside the lungs. The test is performed to determine the cause of the extra fluid or relieve symptoms associated with the build-up.

Critical Care Medicine

Northwest Hospital pulmonologists also specialize in critical care medicine, directing and coordinating care for critically ill patients in the hospital. They work in partnership with other medical and surgical specialists and regularly meet with the patient, family, and other clinical professionals on the care team to discuss the patient's condition, diagnosis, treatments and prognosis. Pairing their pulmonology expertise with skilled ICU nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionists and other staff ensures that patients with emergent medical problems receive the best life-saving care possible.

Northwest Hospital offers a free, 24-hour Physician Referral service to help you find the physician you need. Call 206-633-4636.